Exploring Moral Injury in Mental Healthcare Professionals: A Multimethod Approach

Powell, Lauren Ann (2026) Exploring Moral Injury in Mental Healthcare Professionals: A Multimethod Approach. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Moral injury has been defined as the psychological distress as a result of witnessing or perpetrating acts which violate professionals' own values and beliefs. Psychiatric professionals are facing an increase in demand whilst facing increasing pressures on resources such as time and staffing. Psychiatric professionals have expressed several sources of moral injury including inadequate resources and understaffing. This thesis aimed to deepen the understanding of moral injury among psychiatric professionals. The systematic review used thematic synthesis to explore the lived experiences of moral injury among psychiatric professionals. The empirical project explored moral injury among mental health nurses who work in the National Health Service. The systematic review synthesised 23 studies with 1013 participants, one overarching theme emerged: psychiatric professionals feeling powerless in a morally distressing system. The empirical project findings suggested that the average Moral Injury Symptom Scale for Healthcare Professionals was 44.58 (SD=12.88), with PHQ-9 and support from colleagues being significant factors in the regression model. Overall, both the systematic review and empirical project highlighted several organisational and individual factors which contribute to the experiences of moral injury

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	09 Nov 2026 11:44
Last Modified:	09 Nov 2026 11:44
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/105017
DOI:

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